Bypoll election results 2024: High-stakes battle in Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra makes poll debut

NEW DELHI: Vote counting for bypolls to 46 assembly constituencies across 13 states and two Lok Sabha segments commenced at 8 am on Saturday. The parliamentary seats include Nanded in Maharashtra and Wayanad in Kerala, where Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is contesting her first election.
The Assembly bypolls were held in nine seats in Uttar Pradesh, seven in Rajasthan, six in West Bengal, five in Assam, and four each in Punjab and Bihar.

Additionally, Karnataka has three seats, whilst Madhya Pradesh and Kerala have two each. Single seats are being contested in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Meghalaya.
Nine seats: Multi-cornered contest in UP
Nine constituencies in Uttar Pradesh held bypolls on November 20, including Meerapur, Kundarki, Sisamau, Katehari, Phulpur, Majhawan, Ghaziabad, Karhal and Khair.
In the 2022 Assembly elections, the BJP secured victories in Phulpur, Ghaziabad, Majhawan and Khair, whilst the SP won Sisamau, Katehari, Karhal and Kundarki. The RLD, previously aligned with SP, won Meerapur but has since joined the BJP-led NDA.
The Congress opted out but backed the SP, whilst the BSP contested independently across all constituencies. AIMIM fielded candidates in Ghaziabad, Kundarki and Meerapur, whilst the Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram), under Chandrashekhar Azad’s leadership, contested all seats except Sisamau.
Rajasthan bypolls: 7 seats and 3-tier security
A robust three-level security system has been established for tallying the votes from the bypolls held across seven assembly constituencies in Rajasthan, according to an official statement on November 17. The bypolls for the constituencies of Jhunjhunu, Ramgarh, Dausa, Deoli-Uniara, Khinvsar, Salumbar and Chaurasi took place on November 13, with results scheduled for announcement on Saturday.
The EVM vote counting proceeded in varying rounds for different constituencies: Jhunjhunu and Salumbar will require 22 rounds each, Ramgarh will take 21 rounds, Deoli-Uniara and Khinvsar will need 20 rounds each, whilst Dausa and Chaurasi will complete in 18 rounds each.
Punjab bypolls: AAP, Congress, BJP await verdict on crucial four seats
Vote counting for Punjab’s four assembly seat bypolls also started on Saturday following Wednesday’s voting. The three major parties – AAP, Congress and BJP – are eagerly awaiting the results.
The electoral contest was held for Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal (SC) and Barnala constituencies on Wednesday.
These bypolls serve as a crucial assessment for chief minister Bhagwant Mann’s administration, which has completed thirty months in power.
A favourable outcome would significantly boost Mann’s position, particularly after AAP’s underwhelming performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where they secured only three out of Punjab’s thirteen parliamentary seats.
The opposition Congress party also faces significant pressure, particularly for Congress MPs Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Sukhjinder Randhawa, whose spouses are contesting from Gidderbaha and Dera Baba Nanak constituencies, respectively.
The BJP, having failed to secure any parliamentary seats from Punjab in the general elections, is also keen to demonstrate its electoral strength through these bypolls.
Karnataka bypolls: Congress vs BJP-JD(S) in 3 high-stakes seats
The vote counting for crucial by-elections in three Karnataka Assembly constituencies, where the ruling Congress faced a strong challenge from the BJP-JD(S) alliance, commenced on Saturday. The bypolls for Sandur, Shiggaon and Channapatna constituencies took place on November 13, with significant implications for both political camps.
A victory for Congress would validate the leadership of chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar. For the BJP, positive results would help quieten internal critics of state president BY Vijayendra within the party.
The Channapatna contest holds particular significance for JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, whose son Nikhil seeks electoral success after previous unsuccessful attempts. The seat became vacant when Kumaraswamy won his Lok Sabha seat in this year’s parliamentary elections.
Raipur City South: BJP and Congress clash in Chhattisgarh’s key seat
Vote counting for Chhattisgarh’s Raipur City South assembly constituency, where polling occurred on November 13, commenced on Saturday. The seat witnessed a direct contest between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress, following the vacancy created when sitting BJP MLA and former state minister Brijmohan Agrawal stepped down after winning the Raipur Lok Sabha seat.
The constituency, situated in Raipur district, recorded a 50.50 per cent voter turnout. According to officials, the counting process will begin with postal ballots, followed by EVM votes, with the procedure set to unfold across 14 tables in 19 rounds.
Although 30 candidates contested the bypoll, the primary competition remains between the BJP and Congress parties.
West Bengal bypolls: 6 seats witness tensions
The vote counting for six Assembly seats in West Bengal, where byelections took place last week, commenced on Saturday amidst heightened interest due to the ongoing RG Kar incident protests. The electoral contest involves the constituencies of Naihati, Haroa, Medinipur, Taldangra, Sitai (SC), and Madarihat (ST).
The by-elections witnessed approximately 69.29 per cent voter participation. The electoral proceedings were disrupted by occasional violent incidents, notably a crude bomb attack near the Naihati Assembly constituency in Bhatpara, resulting in the death of a local TMC worker.

Counting begins in other states

Bypolls were held in Kedarnath constituency of Uttarakhand on November 20. The seat in Rudraprayag district became vacant following the demise of BJP legislator Shaila Rani Rawat in July.
Additionally, Assam saw bypolls in five Assembly constituencies – Dholai, Sidli, Bongaigaon, Behali and Samaguri. Bihar held elections on four seats – Tarari, Ramgarh, Imamganj and Belaganj. Single-seat bypoll was held in Gujarat’s Vav, whilst Madhya Pradesh conducted election in Vijaypur and Budhni. Meghalaya also witnessed polling in its Gambegre constituency.
Key seats to watch
Nanded
Counting commenced for the Nanded Lok Sabha bypoll, which witnessed a 67.81 per cent voter turnout on November 20, according to TV trends. Twenty-three candidates are competing for the parliamentary seat to represent the Nanded constituency.
Wayanad
The vote count for the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala on November 13 showed Congress-led UDF candidate Priyanka Gandhi Vadra securing an early advantage. The ballot counting process began at 8 am, starting with postal votes. The Wayanad Lok Sabha seat by-election took place on November 13. Among the 16 contestants, the primary candidates include first-time electoral participant Priyanka, experienced politician Sathyan Mokeri from CPI(M)-led LDF, and BJP-headed NDA’s representative Navya Haridas.
Ghaziabad
The counting for the Ghaziabad bypoll commenced on Saturday. Fourteen contenders are competing for the position of Ghaziabad MLA in this electoral contest. The bypoll was called following the resignation of Atul Garg.
Phulpur
A total of 12 candidates are competing for the position of Phulpur MLA in the bypoll. The electoral contest was triggered following Praveen Patel’s decision to step down from the Assembly seat.
Budhni
23 candidates are contesting in the Budhni assembly bypoll, which was called following Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s resignation from his position as MLA.
Shiggaon
Eight candidates are contesting in the electoral race for the position of Shiggaon MLA. The bypoll for this Assembly constituency was called following Basavaraj Bommai’s resignation from the post.
Channapatna
A total of 31 canddidates are contesting for the position of Channapatna MLA. The bypoll was called for this Assembly constituency following HD Kumaraswamy’s resignation from the post.
Raipur City South
A total of 30 contestants are competing for the position of Raipur City South MLA. The electoral contest was triggered following the resignation of Brijmohan Agrawal from the Assembly constituency.